The leader of the Manassas City Police Department is taking on a new role.
Police Chief and Assistant City Manager Douglas Keen has been chosen to act as Interim City Manager.
He is replacing City Manager Patrick Pate, who is going to be a City Manager in Winston-Salem, N.C., according to a release from the City of Manassas. Pate’s resignation is taking effect on November 3.
Officials are performing a nationwide search for a new City Manager.
City Council chose Keen for the Interim City Manager position at a meeting on Monday.
“Chief Keen has my full support in this dual role,” Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger said in a release. “He will not only keep the City running smoothly, but keep us on track with our current and future projects, setting the next city manager up for success.”
Keen is going to select an Interim Chief of Police he can assign tasks to. The City Manager’s office will receive support from Assistant City Managers Diane Bergeron and Matt Arcieri.
“I am honored to be selected for this interim position, knowing the Mayor and Council have confidence in my leadership abilities to keep the City on track,” Keen said in a release. “I can assure the community and our staff that they have someone in place who will set us up for future success.”
Keen started working for Manassas in 1987. Since then, he has held various roles, including police officer, lieutenant, captain and Assistant Chief of Police.
In 2010, Keen became the Chief of Police, and he was named Assistant City Manager two years ago.
The new Interim City Manager received his bachelor’s in Administration of Justice through George Mason University and earned a masters in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.
